Gilded Cage

n I hel

appearance that they were people of importance. People she dared not offend. The two men held themselves with pride, the

an in gray asked, "Is so

sir. No one is living with me. My husband was lon

place yourself?" the man in gray as

s a living place for families with some money. It was not a surprise the gentlemen grew suspicious, the w

sband left this to me. He came from a modest family. I can't bear to leav

at the old woman. This place was situated in a farming village, it must be hard

ntly moved to this village? Around this tal

an? Not that

gray eyed the man next to him carefully. The man in

the master. The master, however, was not looking at either his servant nor the middle age woman. He was

returned to the woman standin

y that peach tree." The top of the tree he was referring to peeked abo

, " the woman replied in pride. "It's the

has been awhile since I saw peach blossoms this

ght. Master had a huge pea

or a moment, but that was enough. She looked as if she had something to hide. "Well, that's not very convenient,

he man in blue

rdo

me you climbed up there and tied it yourself." The man in blue wa

when my sister over the next village brought my nephew here." S

choed from inside the h

be a thief sneaked inside your house.

nodded once and walked

laced herself in f

house." The master's smile remained innocent and gentle, but then it changed

sir." She shook he

help, Madam? You're acting very

Then the same noise echoed out again.

re like someone pulling on a chain."

s face tur

ove away, Janus

... she is not quite right in her hea

member left, your husband who worked under Ivory Manor was ki

an to shake in fright.

howed Joanne a jade plaque with the ensign of I

n at an instant. She also knew that the higher the status one w

"Lord Carlisle? Please accept my apolo

e you h

ially the truth of who she was hiding. But, t

Joanne." Carlisle smiled c

Lord Carlisle flashed in her

anor. She really is not r

sle demanded throu

ri

g. He walked past Joanne and disappea

lf a year, Lord Carlisle of Ivory Manor